Microwave Ownership
Poll: Microwave Ownership
Total Members Polled: 195
Discussion
Bit of a discussion at work regarding microwave ovens, I have not had (or needed) one for the past 15+ years which to a few I was chatting with thought odd as they said they couldn't be without theirs.
Are they out of style now with all other gadgets or do you still use one on a regular basis?
Are they out of style now with all other gadgets or do you still use one on a regular basis?
Ham_and_Jam said:
Microwaves are a fantastic bit of kit if used correctly.
If used correctly? You mean by pressing the on button incorrectly? 
I haven't had one for 2 years, I don't miss it as it means I don't buy ready meals and I have to actually cook with fresh ingredients.
When I renovate my kitchen, I'll probably get an integrated/combi as from a resale perspective there's enough lazy people that expect it.
I wouldn't be without one, although I'm sure I could manage if I had to. I'm on a low-carb diet and it makes cooking things like Asparagus, spinach, broccoli, courgettes and that kind of thing a breeze without simmering them which leaches out all the flavour. As a fish lover living in a country where fish is not commonly eaten (England) my freezer is full of fish which I can either defrost in the microwave or fully cook that way, although I prefer not to. And you can surprisingly even cook bacon really nicely between sheets of kitchen paper and it comes out all browned. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but it does. Also great for heating up the coffee I made and forgot to drink!
Having said that I do the majority of my cooking the traditional way, on the stove or in the oven. I must be one of the last regular users of the pressure cooker. But when I don't have time the microwave is a real time saver for making ready meals, which are a guilty pleasure and I eat a couple of times a month.
Also it greatly depends on what kind of food you eat. I don't go near meat and two veg kinds of meals. I make lots of stews and soups and slow cooked foods, and because I live alone I make more than I can eat and freeze the rest.
What I don't own however, is an air fryer. I just can't see what they might do for me that I can't already do with what I have.
Having said that I do the majority of my cooking the traditional way, on the stove or in the oven. I must be one of the last regular users of the pressure cooker. But when I don't have time the microwave is a real time saver for making ready meals, which are a guilty pleasure and I eat a couple of times a month.
Also it greatly depends on what kind of food you eat. I don't go near meat and two veg kinds of meals. I make lots of stews and soups and slow cooked foods, and because I live alone I make more than I can eat and freeze the rest.
What I don't own however, is an air fryer. I just can't see what they might do for me that I can't already do with what I have.
Ham_and_Jam said:
Microwaves are a fantastic bit of kit if used correctly.
Yep, can be a useful tool, if as you say are used correctly. They aren't just for cooking ready meals and heating up a cold cup of coffee 
Ours is on the way out, thinking of replacing with a combi oven for a few extra features.
We don’t. My OH refuses to have them due to outdated/misguided safety concerns to which I acquiesced on the basis that certain arguments just aren’t worth having. I did think at the time that whenever I wanted to use one from that point forward I would be annoyed at my past self but the reality is I’ve not missed it at all.
Caveat is that we don’t use the freezer very much if at all, mainly ice, fruit (for blending) and desserts, nothing I need to cook with.
I have a colleague who boils the kettle, makes a coffee (instant, the heathen) and then microwaves it. I don’t understand this at all.
Caveat is that we don’t use the freezer very much if at all, mainly ice, fruit (for blending) and desserts, nothing I need to cook with.
I have a colleague who boils the kettle, makes a coffee (instant, the heathen) and then microwaves it. I don’t understand this at all.
James-gbg1e said:
If used correctly? You mean by pressing the on button incorrectly?
Most people over cook stuff in microwaves, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve eaten stuff in cafes where elements of the meal has been ‘nuked’ within an inch of its life.I would also add there are lots of functions available apart from the on / off button. One very important one being choosing a microwave with an inverter, enabling better power delivery. Not all foods need cooking at 100% power.
I often use a microwave in conjunction with other cooking appliances, and would really miss not having one.
Unless you're short on space, then why not? I have a compact no-brand microwave that cost about £45 from Asda 13 years ago. It still looks and functions as new.
It saves on washing up as most things can be (re)heated in their storage containers or in the crockery you're going to eat/drink from, and you don't need to keep stirring it, like you would at the hob.
It takes 8 seconds to soften a knob of butter on the side of the plate to make it spreadable without melting it. Very handy of you're common like me and don't use a butter bell.
It saves on washing up as most things can be (re)heated in their storage containers or in the crockery you're going to eat/drink from, and you don't need to keep stirring it, like you would at the hob.
It takes 8 seconds to soften a knob of butter on the side of the plate to make it spreadable without melting it. Very handy of you're common like me and don't use a butter bell.
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